Ronnys Garden World Blog » types of plants

Gardening for Winter Interest

admin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:48:19 +0000

Look outside. Do you see a desolate bleak landscape? Maybe you have a few evergreens dotting your foundation. There are a whole host of alternative evergreens and even deciduous trees that can be utilized to peak winter interest. Here are a few eye catching performers:

Contorted Filbert or Contorted Willow
Both of these have corkscrew stems mostly upright ranging from 5 to 50′. They provide a spectacular view spring, summer, fall and especially winter. On the downside, Japanese beetles also rate these selections high on their list. However, there are products on the market today that can be easily applied and do not leave an unsightly residue, so plan ahead.

Red or Yellow Stem Dogwood
Vibrant crayola color clusters of stems burst from the ground reaching 5 to 6′. Maintenance includes hard pruning every year to ever other year to maintain stem color. There are variegated and golden foliage forms for summer interest as well. Sun to partial shade suits them best. These are also a great choice for moist sites.

Weeping Trees
Be it deciduous or evergreen, they come in a myriad of sizes. Most commonly known are the weeping cherry, but there are so many more options. Weeping katsura, peach, dogwod even some weeping choices of spruce and cypress. With the vast array available locally, something is bound to strike a cord with your landscape plan.

Conifers
Years ago conifers meant alberta spruce or clipped yews. However today you may be hard pressed to identify some conifers as such. Breeders and collectors have been busy introducing an endless array of exciting additions in varying shades of blue, gold, silver and even bicolor. Most require full sun and average soil with nominal issues concerning pests and sometimes deer. Beware, collecting conifers can become a habit!

If you need help with your “Winter Gardening” feel free to email or drop us a line. Ronny’s Nursery Staff will be happy to help you add some interest to your landscape.

Southern Magnolias – a true classic.

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:50:11 +0000

You will be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t familiar with the southern magnolia. Those large glossy green leaves and creamy white flowers are a symbol or southern charm. The leaves and seed pods also adorn many a mantle during the Christmas season. The tree is just plain hard to resist. Caring for a southern Magnolia is easy. Plant in Full Sun to Partial Shade in a wind protected area. You can also use Wilt-Pruf (anti-transpirant) to help prevent wind burn in the winter. They like well drained soil rich in nutrients. Fertilize twice a year, the week around St. Patrick’s Day and Thanksgiving with Holly-Tone.

Cultivars Worth Noting
‘Little Gem’ - Prized for small lawns. Can grow 15 to 20 ft in zones 6-7. Great specimen plant with smaller, very fragrant flowers and leaves that are rust colored on the underside.
‘D.D. Blanchard’ – 30 to 60 feet tall, large flowers and large dark green leaves with rusty almost orange undersides.
‘Brackens Brown Beauty’ – 30 to 40 feet tall, dense compact growth habit of ovate 8″ long leaves and an almost hairy underside of brown . Large fragrant flowers. The industry standard.
‘Teddy Bear’- 20 to 40ft. New variety with 6-8″ flowers and full sized leaves heavily brown felted on the underside.

Toby Reynolds, Ronny’s Garden World

Going Native? Plant Selections That Make It Easy.

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:27:55 +0000

There is a native plant available for every situation. The problem is where to find the plants you are reading about. Well here are some selections that are easy to find and can be utilized in diverse habitats.
Damp Shade: Ostrich Ferns, Royal Ferns, Cinnamon Ferns, Inkberry, Sweetbay Magnolia, Clethra ‘Ruby Spice’, Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ , Fringe Tree.
Sunny Areas: Sycamore, Black Gum, Sweet Gum, Red Maples (’Red Sunset’ or ‘October Glory’) Frankliana, Sourwood.
Compact Natives That Adapt To Any Situation: Red Sprite, Winterberry, Little Henry Itea, Cristmas Fern, Hummingbird Clethra, Compacta Inkberry.
Toby Reynolds,
Ronny’s Garden World

Welcome to the Ronny’s Garden World Blog!

admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:02:39 +0000

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